Houllier expected to leave Villa

Houllier took over as Villa manager in September

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier will leave the club this week, BBC Midlands Today understands.

There have been reports that Houllier, who has been suffering health problems, will leave the club by mutual consent.

BBC Radio 5 live’s Pat Murphy said: “The decision will be in the interests of Aston Villa, not Houllier.

“The delay may be over severance pay. Houllier still has two years left to run on a contract that is worth more than £2m a year.”

Murphy added: “Houllier and his management team have remained bullish about his prospects of returning to work but a final round of medical tests late last week would have taken the decision out of Houllier’s hands.”

Medical test results have been studied by the club’s owner Randy Lerner and medical staff. Houllier missed the final month of last season because of his heart problems.

Caretaker manager Gary McAllister had been convinced the Frenchman would return to his post and the 63-year-old has played his part in drawing up Villa’s plans for next season.

It is understood Villa officials are concerned a return to the dugout for Houllier could cause further health problems and may not, therefore, be fair to him or the club.

He has struggled to win over the Villa fans despite a revival in the second half of the season which resulted in the club finishing ninth in the Premier League.

Villa have already been linked with Everton manager David Moyes, Fulham boss Mark Hughes and former England coach Steve McClaren as possible successors should Houllier’s reign be at an end.